“Before I sign anything,” I said softly, “there’s something you both should know.” Derek rolled his eyes. Ashley giggled. I opened my phone and turned the screen toward them. “This house? It’s not in your name, Derek. Remember four years ago when your business almost collapsed and you begged me to ‘temporarily’ transfer the deed to protect it from creditors? You never transferred it back. I own it. Outright.” His smirk faltered. I swiped. “The cars? Leased under my hospital’s employee program. Cancelled this morning. Tow truck arrives at seven.” Ashley’s smile evaporated. “And your father’s lawyers,” I continued, “the ones you love threatening me with? I had coffee with your father last Tuesday. Turns out he’s known about Ashley since March. He also knows about the sixty thousand dollars you ‘borrowed’ from the family trust to fund her little boutique.” Derek went gray. “You’re lying.” I slid my own envelope across the island. “Divorce papers. Already filed. Adultery documented. Financial misconduct documented. Your father co-signed as witness because he’d rather protect the family name than protect you.” Ashley stood up so fast the barstool tipped. “Derek, you told me she had nothing.” “He tells everyone that,” I said. “It’s his favorite lie.” I untied the silk robe from her waist myself and folded it neatly. “This was my mother’s. She died the year we got married. You’ll want to change before you leave.” Derek grabbed for the papers. “Emma, wait, we can talk about this-” “We talked for nine years, Derek. You just weren’t listening.” I picked up my keys. “Friday works for me too. That’s when the locksmith comes. Be gone by noon.” I walked out into the cool evening air, and for the first time in a decade, I could breathe. Behind me, I heard Ashley screaming his name. I didn’t look back. I never would again.
